Call to organ donation center post pt death

Nurses General Nursing

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wooh, BSN, RN

1 Article; 4,383 Posts

The good thing about it being an outside group is that it takes away from the family the impression that we've killed their family member to get their organs. It's a good thing. It's not a violation of HIPAA. It's the same for all of us.

uRNmyway, ASN, RN

1,080 Posts

Specializes in Med-Surg.

Having been on both sides of the organ donation experience (my grandfather was a heart recipient, my step-mother unexpected resp arrest post op), I can say that we were far from pressured to consent. While we also did immediately agree, it was all done with much compassion and care from everyone involved.

barbyann

337 Posts

I am not a fan of the current organ donation process. I have done it probably three times and all three times were as described above. They know after the diagnosis/age/comorbidities/TOD that it is not viable, yet they go on and on and on with the questions. I assume that they get paid by the length of the phone call, probably get an on-call rate that jumps significantly when actively recruiting.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

What I think we need to remember here that while there are federal regulations about organ donation.....like everything else in healthcare each and every state have their own requirements, each procurement organization have their own policies and negotiate what is done by each facility .... AND......each facility has their own policy and procedure about their own process.

Talk about consistency....:facepalm:...could it get any more confusing?

I also think we need to LISTEN to each other and realize that the information provided by individuals will vary and that AN has members from all over the world and they probably have NO CLUE what we are talking about or have completely different information. Lets be tolerant and be polite when we read each others perspective about this process.

OP....the information you provide is decided by law and is still...the care of patient. Families don't have a lot of say in this process, which I believe isn't right...but it is what it is.

You mentioned NEOB and I have dealt with them...their process is...shall I say....intense. I know that they can be difficult to deal with especially when they feel you are not "on board with the process". (personal experience;)) The first few times I called them I was not comfortable either....you will get better at the information...and how to stop the interrogation from them....but they can really drag....I men prolong the process which always amazed me. I got it down to about 15 min with NEOB.

When I lived in the Midwest....I dealt with ROBI and yes most OPO's are very scripted....they have to be organ procurement is, unfortunately, not a topic for casual dinner conversation.

I think every nurse needs to examine his/her feelings about organ procurement and organ donation...I happen to be a HUGE proponent so my comfort level in dealing with families is ok.....each nurse needs to find their own way. OP you aren't breaching patient confidentiality.....and their question/answer interrogation is intense..... I feel it should be done be the supervisors but many supervisors aren't comfortable with it either so they have the staff call....You will get better at it....eventually :)

morte, LPN, LVN

7,015 Posts

what if you have a family that for religious reasons will absolutely refuse to donate? do you tell the procurement person that, and they stop? and this whole scenario proves Lamaze's point that HIPAA only makes it harder for the wrong persons to find out your info....

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

I am not a fan of the current organ donation process. I have done it probably three times and all three times were as described above. They know after the diagnosis/age/comorbidities/TOD that it is not viable, yet they go on and on and on with the questions. I assume that they get paid by the length of the phone call, probably get an on-call rate that jumps significantly when actively recruiting.

As Esme and I have said SOP varies for OPOs but there is a base that is common to all. From what was outlined to me, there is no "rate" situation, it's shift work 24 hour coverage. Often there is some part of the body that can still be harvested... that rep needs to root out any possibility because they have to in order to reach their quota, or be out of a job. This is why they are so persistent. Remember, tissue, bone as well.

I'll just state again, I am not against organ donation, I just don't like the fact that a family somewhere is hurting and suddenly they are on such a strange plane in the scheme of things. Their absolute misery results in suddenly possessing a commodity that will make somebody else a lot of money, but will also possibly enhance the life of others. That is a wierd thing in itself. And then, there are other people who must make numbers, to keep the dollars coming in, or be out of a job. I think if feet were not held to fire, the process would be more honest all around.

Specializes in Orthopedic, LTC, STR, Med-Surg, Tele.

I've called NEOB twice and I was only on the phone for a couple of minutes.

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

what if you have a family that for religious reasons will absolutely refuse to donate? do you tell the procurement person that, and they stop? and this whole scenario proves Lamaze's point that HIPAA only makes it harder for the wrong persons to find out your info....

I asked that. No they still approach. They have info on various religions too and still will pursue the family with specific strategy. They might change who takes that case based on that. Now of course, if things get really crazy then they back off finally and lose the case, of course.

morte, LPN, LVN

7,015 Posts

If I were that family, I might not react well at all! NO is NO! One more word out of their mouths and I assure you they would not be happy.

I asked that. No they still approach. They have info on various religions too and still will pursue the family with specific strategy. They might change who takes that case based on that. Now of course, if things get really crazy then they back off finally and lose the case, of course.

netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

If I were that family, I might not react well at all! NO is NO! One more word out of their mouths and I assure you they would not be happy.

Agreed Morte - Needless to say I didn't take the job! They interview you with behavioral role-play questions. You are told people will be very angry with you and you need to have a thick skin, and then have a role-play scenario where you have to show how you would overcome that and be able to be persuasive. Then also explain a situation where you still, even after a rough conversation, got someone to buy in to what you were selling or to let you do your job, etc. It's a one time deal you see, you only have to get them to consent once. You won't be dealing with them again, so it's not a long term relationship you need with them. It's a sales job, if you are familiar with that kind of job, it's just a difficult one, for sure, and I think they also interview pharm reps who have science degrees so they can pickup the data-mining aspect easily - but they can't drop off a levitra pen or bring lunch from the Olive Garden to help make the sale .

nrsang97, BSN, RN

2,602 Posts

Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

I have sat in on many organ doantion discussions and have found the reps from GOL to be very compassionate. All they have to hear is NO from the family and they stop. Thank them for hearing what they have to say ask if there is anyting they can do for them and leave. I have seen family agree and family refuse immediately.

Guest343211

880 Posts

Back to the thread:)

Small hospital here too. We have to call the donor number following every death. Last call I made was VERY lengthy. I'd never had anybody ask me that many detailed questions. Lab, VS, and Xray reports.

What made me angry was that both admitting diagnoses made the deceased ineligible for donation. All donation. I found that out after about 30 minutes of detailed questions. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why we had to dance the dance, when the answer to the first question eliminated my pt as a donor. I understand completely about protocol, but yikes! Let's be reasonable.

Yea. That's kind of ridiculous. Meanwhile, you are getting another admission, and your other patient is on the brink of coding. Really. For heaven's sake, can't they take a fax on this?

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